Phoenix vs Heart

Last Week

Victory is improving each week while Heart is still inconsistent at the moment. Having said that, while it is disappointing to lose the Derby, the game could have gone either way in the end. Congratulations must go to both sets of fans for making the atmosphere the best this season!

Wellington put up a great fight against the ladder leaders the Mariners to come away with a point. Even though Paul Ifill is out with a long-term injury the inclusion of Dani Sanchez has covered his absence.

This Week

Wellington away is one of the toughest trips in the A-League, so with Heart weakened this week it now almost becomes mission impossible.  We’ve lost Gerhardt and Colosimo for this game as they’ve both collected five yellows for the season. Aloisi has also chosen to rest Garcia and Behich who still appear fatigued from Socceroos duty. In other news Tadic almost missed the trip due to some visa issues traveling to New Zealand. It’s now sorted out but he’ll be on a later flight.

Steven Grey who will make his debut and David Vrankovic will therefore replace our centre back combination. Sam Mitchinson, Jeremy Walker, and Ersin Kaya have all been added to the squad, promoted from the NYL this round. Mitchinson will most likely come into the left back for Aziz. It’s a shame we’re only seeing Grey now because of a forced change rather having him introduced earlier. It’s also a shame Heart’s lineup is once again disrupted which has been the case for most of the season.

Phoenix looks the more settled team, actually named to go into this game with the same lineup. I can see them causing at least a goal with creative players such as Sanchez and Jeremy Brockie at their disposal.

Prediction

Both sides are struggling at them moment so I can see the game being a close affair, with neither team willing to lose. Heart have never won in at the Cake Tin, and given all the factors I can’t see a win this time around either.

Phoenix 1 – Heart 1

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